Anti-fouling apparatus for cleaning deposits in pipes and pipe joints

ABSTRACT

A system for cleaning pipes and pipe joints where the interior surface of the pipe becomes coated with material being processed comprising a cylindrical cleaning body having opposing first and second ends, said cylindrical body having an annular shape with interior and exterior walls so that the outer wall contacts the interior surface of a pipe and wherein ends of the cleaning body have means for removing material deposited on the interior surface, a means for moving the apparatus along the length of said pipe, a first and second means for cleaning said cleaning body having passages that allow fluid to pass through, wherein said first and second cleaning means mates with said first and second ends of said cleaning body, where said cleaning body is moved into contact with said cleaning means to dislodge accumulated deposits from the cleaning body and simultaneously dislodging accumulated deposits from said cleaning means.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/735,677, filedJan. 1, 2013, which claims the benefit of 61/584,074, filed Jan. 6,2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved pipe cleaning assembly.More specifically, the present invention provides means for periodic orcontinuous cleaning of pipes and pipe joints in industrial apparatussuch as those experiencing deposition of mineral and/or organic solidsonto their interior surfaces and those having a condensation zone oroutlet to a condensation pipe either alone or combined with refluxcondensation where the condensation step is prone to accumulation ofdeposits on the interior surfaces of the pipes and pipe joints carryinggases with entrained aerosols and/or particulate matter that are subjectto deposition and/or condensation.

Certain industrial processes, including but not limited to pyrolysis,petrochemical, metallization and semi-conductor processes, produce vaporstreams containing nanoparticles and microparticles which tend tocondense and/or otherwise deposit on the interior walls of pipes andpipe joints integral to the process apparatus. This condition isespecially problematic for continuous processes having pipe connectionsallowing for discharge from one system component to another, such pointsof discharge often promoting said condensation and/or deposition ofsolids where flow rates, flow directions and flow volumes change withinthe process apparatus.

Moreover, said deposits can form strongly aggregated, turbostratic orcrystalline crusts on the interior walls of pipes and pipe joints whichcan be resistant to removal by wiping members having blunt faces withoutknife edges. The term “turbostratic” as used herein is intended to meana crystal structure in which basal planes have slipped out of alignmentand/or an amorphous structure which may be mixed w/said crystalstructure(s), if present. Without a means for continual and effective insitu removal of said condensates and deposits, which may otherwiseaccumulate in increasing thickness with time, said industrial processproduction becomes inefficient because it must be interrupted by costlytemporary shutdowns to allow for disassembly of the affected componentsand either subsequent manual cleaning of pipes and pipe joints withscraping or abrasive cutters, or alternative replacement of the affectedparts. After disassembly for cleaning or replacement of pipes and pipejoints, additional cost of direct labor expense and lost production timeis incurred for reassembly, leak testing and, in many cases, the systemmust be purged of atmospheric air prior to resumption of the process.When replacement is required, the cost of parts inventory must beconsidered.

Such continual need for ex situ cleaning can pose opportunity forchronic exposure of workers to airborne hazardous or even poisonouscomponents of condensates and deposits. To protect workers, suchexposure must be mitigated in negative-pressure environments employingdust collection systems, often with HEP A filters. These means toprotect workers from chronic exposure to or even poisonous components ofcondensates and deposits involves additional expense which wouldotherwise not be required if an effective in situ system had beendeployed.

The prior art discloses various devices to clean pipes. However, many ofthese describe inserting a cleaning apparatus, referred to as a “pig” inthe industry, which is forced through the piping by the pressure of thefluid therein. Such devices do not allow for movement counter to thefluid flow, and the trip is one-way. Moreover, the pig must be insertedand removed each time it is used. Moreover, such devices are typicallysoft and flexible, and merely wipe soft accretions from the interior ofthe pipes; they so not scrape or scour hardened deposits.

Prior art does not describe means to clean the interior of heated pipesand pipe joints having heating elements on the exterior of the pipes,such heating elements interfering with the operation of an exteriormagnetic ring sleeve that cannot advance the interior wiping member pastthe lengths covered by heating elements. Accordingly, such heatedsystems cannot be completely cleaned via prior art, leaving interioraccumulating deposits in the pipes and pipe joints which, if left inplace, can obstruct the flow through the piping system.

Nor does prior art describe means to specifically and continuallyeliminate hardening, hardened, turbostratic, crystallizing orcrystallized substances from the interior of pipes and pipe joints withan internal movable device. Accordingly, if the internal movable deviceis not constantly moving, or engaged to move with only brief intervalsbetween cleaning events, these fouling, hardening, hardened,crystallizing or crystallized substances can accumulate in the interiorof the pipes and pipe joints at a rate by which the thickness of thesefouling substances can become sufficiently thick, and the resistance tocleaning become sufficiently high, that the internal movable devicecannot maintain a clean interior pipe and pipe joint surface, or canbecome stuck in the pipe altogether, creating a condition which promotesadditional fouling, plugging and, potentially, unwanted or dangerouspressure build-up.

Nor does prior art provide a solution to cleaning of the anti-foulingapparatus itself. Given that deposits in the interior or pipes and pipejoints can also foul an interior cleaning device which is similarlyexposed to the same environment of deposition as is the piping run thatcontains it, in the absence of the self-cleaning action provided by thisinvention, an anti-fouling device would itself become fouled.

Nor does prior art describe a means to counteract the phenomenon ofpreferential or accelerated deposition of fouling deposits at pointswhere material flow velocities change within the piping run. The presentinvention, by virtue of its continual operation to prevent accumulationof fouling deposits at any point within the system where the presentinvention is deployed, provides a solution to the problem ofpreferential or accelerated deposition because such deposits are removedfrom all points in the system irrespective of the rate at which suchdeposits would otherwise accumulate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved cleaning assembly orsystem for pipes and pipe joints to remove deposits which may otherwiseaccumulate and foul the pipes and joints as well as the surfaces of thecleaning assembly. The assembly includes three components that go insidethe pipe(s), including an internal mobile component plus upper and lowerfixed pipe fittings having surfaces which mates with respect to theinternal mobile component, plus a means for moving the internal mobilecomponent such as a mobile ring upon which are mounted or embedded oneor more magnets attracted in preferred orientation to the internalmobile component, thereby providing for controlled movement of themobile, internal component in combination with the mobile magnetic ring.The internal mobile component includes robust knife edges mated to theupper and lower flanges, which have openings to accommodate pass throughof the knife edges on the mobile wiping component. The system can beoperated manually or electronically controlled, and can be configuredfor deployment in straight or curved piping runs, in heated or unheatedsystems, systems with multiple pipe joints and tees, and in systemsrequiring continuous operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates upon reading the following description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overview of the present invention showing all fourcomponents in relationship to one another, as well as the motion of themobile internal component paired to its mobile external magnetic ring inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the apparatus andpipe showing all four components in relationship to one another, as wellas the motion of the mobile internal component paired to its mobileexternal magnetic ring in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the lower fixed flange comprising aportion of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the internal mobile component comprisinga portion of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the upper fixed flange comprising aportion of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric, cut-away view of a section of pipe containingthe internal mobile component paired to its respective mobile externalmagnetic ring comprising a portion of the apparatus in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a means for cleaning the interior ofpipes and pipe joints in industrial apparatus impacted by foulingdeposits, such as particles or liquids that are entrained in the gas orvapor exiting a piece of equipment. The particles and/or liquids canaccumulate in flow lines and points of vapor transfer. By periodicallyor continuously cleaning while the industrial apparatus continues torun, the apparatus is allowed to operate without significantinterruption or need the extensive cleaning that is necessitated by alarger build-up.

The present invention is a four-component cleaning assembly, includingthree internal components plus one external component. An internalwiping component or member is in mating relationship with a pipeinterior and it is moved to corresponding special upper and lower pipeflanges as well as the internal wall of the pipe. The internal wipingcomponent is a cylindrical cleaning body that moves within the pipe.Such a cleaning body is often referred to as a pig in the industry. Theexternal component is outside of the pipe and surrounds the walls of thepipe. The external component comprises a ring containing one or moremagnets designed for deployment in and around low- or non-magnetic pipesand pipe joints. The movement of the external magnet component willcause a corresponding movement of the internal wiping component, causingthe wiping member to act like a shuttle, moving up and down or back andforth repeatedly. The external component is oriented with respect to theexternal wall of the pipe via an indexing groove in the outer wall ofthe pipe as well as corresponding indexing pins affixed to the externalcomponent. The internal moveable wiping component or member is anannular ring with robust knife-edges mated for efficient cleaning anddischarge of deposits to special upper and lower pipe flanges havingopenings to accommodate pass-through of the knife edges on the wipingcomponent or member. The internal component incorporates alternatingcircumferential segments of magnetic and non-magnetic materials toprovide fixed orientation with respect to the external mobile magneticring. The sides of the knife edges of the internal wiping component canbe configured in various shapes, including, but not limited to wedgeshapes, or chevron or inverted “V” shapes to promote efficient removalof deposits on the interior surface of the pipe as well as to allow forproper alignment of the internal wiping component with the correspondingspecial upper and lower pipe flanges should wear occur in the indexinggroove or indexing pins or should the internal wiping member becomemisaligned with the external component.

The upper and lower pipe flanges will work in conjunction with thewiping component to simultaneously clean the knife edges and theinternal openings in the mating flanges. The present invention can beconfigured for use in heated or unheated systems, as well as in straightor curved piping runs or pipes of any cross-section, and for cleaningpoints of vapor transfer in piping runs where accumulation of unwanteddeposits is especially problematic. Moreover, the present invention canbe configured to address curved pipe runs & pipe joints where the lengthof the sliding component and radius of the curved pipe are jointlyconfigured to allow for minimum irreducible accumulation in the curvedportion of the piping run.

Of the three pieces having internal function, the moveable internalwiping member is magnetically connected or attracted to an indexed,external magnetic ring sleeve which constitutes means of moving theinternal wiping flange for in situ and, as may be desired, continuous,removal of deposits of crusts, sludge and powders from the internalsurfaces of the pipes and pipe joints which, if not cleaned, mayotherwise accumulate and foul the interior of the pipes and pipe joints.Of special importance is the ability to harden and appropriately shapethe wiping edges of the internal movable wiping component to removehardening, hardened, turbostratic, crystallizing or crystallized foulingsubstances as rapidly as they deposit.

The moveable internal wiping member can be designed with adequatelength, and the special mating pipe flanges can be properly positioned,to allow for cleaning of the interior surfaces beneath external heatingelements, thermocouples in wells, skin thermocouples or other externalobstructions which would otherwise preclude continual motion of theexterior magnetic ring along the length of a piping run. In addition,the wiping member is moved through the pipes via a motive force appliedto the external magnet, rather than relying on internal pressure or flowto move the cleaning apparatus as in the prior art. In other words, theapparatus can move independent of, and even counter to, the flowingvapor or fluid within the pipes.

The system embodied by the present invention is highly versatile andwell suited to applications having specific demands for customcomponents made to clean pipes and pipe joints in unusual andchallenging environments. Examples of the present invention'sversatility include but are not limited to applications wherein one ormore four component anti-fouling systems can be deployed in the samepiping run such that one or more internal movable wiping components canclean the interior of pipe surfaces between and beneath heating elementsaffixed to the exterior of the pipes and flanges. Thus, the system canbe combined with piping as a self-cleaning piping system or can be usedto retrofit an existing piping system. The following is one suchembodiment; it is intended for purposes of understanding the invention,not for purposes of limiting the invention. Any and all limitations ofthe invention disclosed herein are restricted to the claims below.

As seen in FIG. 1, the present apparatus is a four-componentanti-fouling cleaning assembly 001 deployed for use in a non-magneticpipe 500 (shown in FIG. 6). The pipe material is not critical, but sincethe wiping component is moved via and external magnet, a magnetic pipingmaterial would prevent the apparatus from functioning properly, and isthus disfavored. The anti-fouling cleaning assembly 001 comprises aninternal moveable wiping component 100, a sliding external componentcomprised of a ring containing one or more magnets 200, a lower cleaningmeans or pipe flange 300 having openings 302 mated for efficientcleaning and discharge of deposits to protruding knife edges 101 and 111(shown in FIG. 2) on the moveable wiping component 100, and an uppercleaning means or pipe flange 400 having openings 402 mated forefficient cleaning and discharge of deposits to protruding knife edges102 and 112 on the moveable wiping component 100. The lower pipe flange300 features a stud 301 supported by spokes 303 dimensionally mated forefficient cleaning and discharge of deposits to the center opening 133in the moveable wiping component 100, which is cleaned by knife edge 111(shown in FIG. 2). The upper pipe flange 400 features an internal,conical raised cleaning surface 401 that mates to surface 122 of themoveable wiping component 100. Said upper pipe flange raised cleaningsurface 401 comprises a funnel or an annular ring with an internaldiameter which gradually increases toward its lower end along itslength. The central opening 402 is cleaned by knife edge 112. Thecleaning surface 122 mates with, and rests flush upon, said upper pipeflange raised surface 401 when moveable wiping component 100 reaches themaximum upper length of its path. Internal moveable wiping component 100has at its center a hole 133 that allows dislodged fouling material topass through and prevent build-up on internal wiping member 100. Theexterior surface of the non-magnetic pipe is milled with an indexinggroove (not shown), such indexing groove running the length of theexterior of non-magnetic pipe to accommodate a mated indexing pin (notshown) protruding from the inside of the magnetic ring 200.

External force is applied to magnetic ring 200 along the longitudinalaxis of a non-magnetic pipe, maintaining plurality with moveable wipingcomponent 100 by means of magnetic attraction between magnetic ring 200and moveable wiping component 100. Such force causes longitudinal motionor movement 700 to occur repeatedly in both directions between lowerpipe flange 300 and upper pipe flange 400 to remove deposits from theinterior of the non-magnetic pipe. As moveable wiping component 100meets lower pipe flange 300, knife edges 101 and 111 clean depositswhich may tend to accumulate in openings 302, and stud 301 cleansdeposits which may tend to accumulate in the center opening 133 in themoveable wiping component 100. Similarly, as moveable wiping component100 meets upper pipe flange 400, knife edges 102 and 112 clean depositswhich may tend to accumulate in openings 402.

The indexing groove (not shown) and its mating indexing pin (not shown)protruding from the inside of the magnetic ring 200 prevent magneticring 200 from rotating, which maintains proper orientation of themembers and assure that moveable wiping component 100 does not rotateinside the pipe, thereby assuring proper alignment between moveablewiping component 100, lower pipe flange 300 and upper pipe flange 400.The combination of indexing groove and its mating indexing pin is notcritical and other guiding means can be used, including but not limitedto a spline and notch system, or a computer-controlled alignment system.

If the pipe is positioned in a vertical orientation, deposits loosenedby knife edges 101 and 102 will fall through openings 302 and/or becarried as suspended particles through openings 302 and 402 thensubsequently through the industrial apparatus in which anti-foulingcleaning assembly 100 is deployed, thereby maintaining an open and cleansystem of pipes and pipe flanges.

If the pipe is positioned in a horizontal orientation, deposits loosenedby knife edges 101 and 102 will be advanced through openings 302 and 402and/or be carried as suspended particles through openings 302 and 402,remaining mobile in the industrial apparatus in which antifoulingcleaning assembly 100 is deployed, thereby maintaining an open and cleansystem of pipes and pipe flanges.

FIG. 1 reiterates the importance of proper alignment between moveablewiping component 100 and lower pipe flange 300 as well as betweenmoveable wiping component 100 and upper pipe flange 400 such thatcleaning and discharge of deposits from all surfaces can occur.

The external force described herein is not critical. Sliding externalring 200 may be moved via any known or conventional physical forcemeans, including but not limited to pulleys, pistons, gears, pinions,linear induction motors, or by hand/human effort.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the apparatusshowing all four components in relationship to one another and the pipe,as well as the motion of the mobile internal component paired to itsmobile external magnetic ring in accordance with the present invention.Lower pipe flange 300 has openings 302 which are mated for efficientcleaning and discharge of deposits to protruding knife edges 101 and 111on the moveable wiping component 100. Upper pipe flange 400 has openings402 which are mated for efficient cleaning and discharge of deposits toprotruding knife edges 102 and 112 on the moveable wiping component 100.Lower pipe flange 300 features a stud 301 dimensionally mated forefficient cleaning and discharge of deposits to the center opening 133in the moveable wiping component 100, which is cleaned by knife edge111. Upper pipe flange 400 features an internal, conical raised cleaningsurface 401 that mates to surface 122 of the moveable wiping component100. Said upper pipe flange raised cleaning surface 401 comprises afunnel or an annular ring with an internal diameter which graduallyincreases toward its lower end along its length. The central opening 402is cleaned by knife edge 112. The cleaning surface 122 mates with, andrests flush upon, said upper pipe flange raised cleaning surface 401when moveable wiping component 100 reaches the maximum upper length ofits path. Internal moveable wiping component 100 has at its center ahole 133 that allows dislodged fouling material to pass through andprevent build-up on internal wiping member 100. The exterior surface ofthe non-magnetic pipe 500 is milled with an indexing groove 600 (notshown), such indexing groove running the length of non-magnetic pipe 500to accommodate a mated indexing pin (not shown) protruding from theinside of the magnetic ring 200.

External force is applied to magnetic ring 200 along the longitudinalaxis of nonmagnetic pipe 500, maintaining plurality with moveable wipingcomponent 100 by means of magnetic attraction between magnetic ring 200and moveable wiping component 100. Such force causes longitudinal motion700 to occur repeatedly in both directions between lower pipe flange 300and upper pipe flange 400 to remove deposits from the interior ofnon-magnetic pipe 500.

Repeated contact between movable wiping component 100 and upper flange400 prevent accumulation of deposited material within the conical cavityin moveable wiping component 100 resulting from direct deposition ofaggregated, turbostratic or crystalline crusts on cleaning surface 122or accumulation of loose, dislodged material resulting from the cleaningaction of knives 102 and 122. After moveable wiping component 100 comesinto direct contact with lower flange 300, dislodged material resultingfrom operation of the apparatus will pass through openings 302 either byaction of gravity, by action of particles entrained in the vapor orliquid flow through pipe 500 or by both mechanisms in tandem. Aftermoveable wiping component 100 comes into direct contact with upperflange 400, dislodged material resulting from operation of the apparatuswill pass through openings 402 either by action of gravity, as particlesentrained in the vapor or liquid flow through pipe 500 or by bothmechanisms in tandem. Deposits in the cavity of moveable wipingcomponent 100 which would otherwise tend to accumulate around cleaningsurface 122 are removed via a relative vacuum in the cavity created eachtime that moveable wiping component 100 moves away from upper flange400. Continuous repetition of this cycle in turn prevents accumulationof deposited material around cleaning surface 122.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of lower fixed flange 300 which includesflange stud 301 supported by spokes 303. Between spokes 303 are openings302 through which passes deposited material dislodged by knives 101(FIG. 4) of internal mobile component 100 (FIG. 4). Support spokes 303align with grooves 155 (FIG. 4) in internal wiping member 100 wheninternal wiping member 100 has come into contact with lower flange 300.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the internal mobile component 100 whichcleans deposits from the interior surface of pipe 500 (FIG. 6) bycleaning action of knife surfaces 102 and 112 on the upper end ofinternal mobile component 100 and knife surfaces 101 and 111 on thelower end of internal mobile component 100. Grooves 155 align withsupport spokes 303 (FIG. 3) of lower flange 300 and knife edges 101 passthrough openings 302 (FIG. 3) when internal mobile component 100 hasreached the lower termination of its maximum travel distance within pipe500. Conversely, grooves 144 align with support spokes 403 (FIG. 5) ofupper flange 400 and knife edges 102 pass through openings 402 (FIG. 5)when internal mobile component 100 has reached the upper termination ofits maximum travel distance within pipe 500. Cleaning surface 122 ofinternal mobile component 100 mates with, and rests flush upon, saidupper pipe flange raised cleaning surface 401 when moveable wipingcomponent 100 reaches the maximum upper length of its path.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the upper fixed flange 400 which includesan internal, conical raised cleaning surface 401 that mates to surface122 (FIG. 4) of the moveable wiping component 100 (FIG. 4). Said upperpipe flange raised cleaning surface 401 comprises a funnel or an annularring with an internal diameter which gradually increases toward itslower end along its length. The central opening 402 is cleaned by knifeedge 112 (FIG. 4). The cleaning surface 122 mates with, and rests flushupon, said upper pipe flange raised surface 401 when moveable wipingcomponent 100 reaches the maximum upper length of its path. The portionof flange 400 containing the central opening, one of 5 openings 402, isconnected to the outer ring of flange 400 and supported by spokes 403.Between spokes 403 are the outer 4 of a total of 5 openings 402 throughwhich passes deposited material dislodged by knives 102 (FIG. 4) ofinternal mobile component 100 (FIG. 4). Support spokes 403 align withslots 144 (FIG. 4) in internal wiping member when internal wiping memberhas come into contact with upper flange 400.

FIG. 6 is an isometric, cut-away view of a section of pipe 500containing the internal mobile component 100 paired to its respectivemobile external magnetic ring 200. The exterior surface of thenon-magnetic pipe 500 is milled with an indexing groove 600 (not shown),such indexing groove running the length of non-magnetic pipe 500 toaccommodate a mated indexing pin (not shown) protruding from the insideof the magnetic ring 200. External force is applied to magnetic ring 200along the longitudinal axis of non-magnetic pipe 500, maintainingplurality with moveable wiping component 100 by means of magneticattraction between magnetic ring 200 and moveable wiping component 100.Such force causes longitudinal motion 700 to occur repeatedly in bothdirections between lower pipe flange 300 (FIG. 3) and upper pipe flange400 (FIG. 5) to remove deposits from the interior of non-magnetic pipe500.

The importance of indexing groove 600 in pipe 500 and its matingindexing pin (not shown) protruding from the inside of the magnetic ring200 becomes evident, to assure that moveable wiping component 100 doesnot rotate inside non-magnetic pipe 500, thereby assuring properalignment between moveable wiping component 100, upper pipe flange 300and lower pipe flange 400. If internal wiping component 100 were tobecome misaligned in the absence of indexing groove 600 and its matingindexing pin protruding from the inside of the magnetic ring 200, knifeedges 101 would not pass through corresponding openings 302, and knifeedges 102 would not pass through corresponding openings 402. Upper pipeflange stud 301 is held in place by four support spokes 303 and definessaid openings 302.

The mass of the wiping component 100 is important. The exact mass is notcritical, but care must be taken to ensure it is neither too heavy, nortoo light. It is important that the member be massive enough to dislodgebuild-up inside the pipes, yet light enough so that the external magnetscan support it and pull or displace it though the pipes. If the memberis too heavy, the magnets might not be able to keep it in place and itcould fall and damage the pipe or the member itself.

The exact dimensions of the apparatus are not critical, including thedimensions of said hole or opening 133 (FIG. 1). However, care must betaken in sizing opening 133 as its size determines flow rate downstream.Too small an opening could severely hamper the flow rate and adverselyaffect the overall process. Because the size of hole 133 determines thesize of flange stud 301, too large of an opening would require theflange stud 301 to be obtrusive, resulting in excessive and undesirabledecrease in the total cross sectional opening 302, and likewise impedeflow.

The apparatus can be deployed vertically in the orientation shown inFIGS. 1 through 6, in the opposite vertical orientation, a horizontalorientation, or at any angle which may be desired. The internal geometryof movable wiping component 100 and the respective mating geometries ofrelevant portions of flanges 300 and 400 provide for prevention ofaccumulated deposits resulting from operation of the apparatus which isthe embodiment of this invention or the industrial processes to whichthe invention can be deployed, including but not limited to pyrolysis,petrochemical, metallization and semi-conductor processes. The presentinvention not only prevents accumulation of deposits in a piping systemby the constant wiping action of the internal mobile component 100 whichcontinually removes deposits on the internal surface of pipe 500 as theyform, but also by creation of momentary turbulent flow which resultsfrom the action of internal mobile component 100 alternately mating withflanges 300 and 400. The self-cleaning feature of the anti-foulingapparatus, and the resulting turbulent flow, counteracts the phenomenonof preferential or accelerated deposition of fouling deposits at pointswhere material flow velocities change within the piping run becauseparticles of deposits removed from pipe 500 by internal wiping component100 are not allowed to settle or otherwise accumulate in the apparatus.Material changes in flow velocity occur when internal mobile component100 alternately mates with flanges 300 and 400 as a result of momentaryflow rate changes when the effective cross sectional internal areaavailable to flow momentarily changes. The momentary turbulent flow is apulsed flow which promotes continual movement of suspended materialthrough the piping system.

A further embodiment (not shown) posits a pyrolysis apparatus having oneor more vapor discharge pipes each equipped with an anti-foulingapparatus incorporating one or more wiping members (similar to 100 inFIG. 1), wherein turbostratic and other forms of carbon deposits andmineral deposits which may form in said vapor discharge pipes and/orpoints of connection of these vapor discharge pipes to theircorresponding pyrolysis reactor(s) are mitigated by the longitudinalmotion of the wiping members, thereby having a result of in situdestruction of said deposits which will fall as heavy particlesvertically downward and/or will be transported as light particles withthe vapor passing through the piping system. Material enters the inputsection of the apparatus where it contacts surfaces within the membercausing deposition or condensation.

Upon removal of deposits and/or condensate, the deposition and/orcondensation products leave the apparatus via the output sectionentrained in the vapor flow and/or fall by action of gravity. The heavycomponents are recycled back into the system and the lighter productsare processed downstream.

Notwithstanding the detailed descriptions of the present invention, thepresent invention has been described by means of example and in terms ofthe preferred embodiments. Application, use and/or deployment of thepresent invention are not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein,such that persons skilled in the art can employ a variety of dimensionaland configurable modifications as may become apparent. Therefore, thescope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similararrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for cleaning a pipe or joint comprising:a moveable wiping component having opposing first and second ends, thewiping component having an exterior wall that contacts the interiorsurface of the pipe and wherein the first and second ends of the wipingcomponent each have at least one edge, a external sliding component,wherein an internal wall of the external sliding component contacts anexternal surface of the pipe or joint, an upper pipe flange havingpassages that allow fluid to pass through, a lower pipe flange havingpassages that allow fluid to pass through, wherein the upper pipe flangemates with the first end of the wiping component and thereby dislodgesaccumulated deposits from the wiping component and from the upper pipeflange, wherein the lower pipe flange mates with the second end of thewiping component and thereby dislodges accumulated deposits from thewiping component and from the lower pipe flange.
 2. The system of claim1 wherein the external sliding component comprises one or more magnets.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the wiping component functions whilefluid flows through the pipe.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein theexternal sliding component further comprises an indexing pin protrudingfrom the inside of the external sliding component.
 5. A cleaning pig forcleaning a pipe or joint comprising: a moveable wiping component havingopposing first and second ends, and an external sliding component,wherein the wiping component has an interior wall and an exterior wallso that the exterior wall can contact the interior surface of the pipeor joint, wherein the wiping component has an opening through theinterior thereof to allow for the passage of fluids therethrough, andwherein ends of the wiping component have at least one edge.
 6. Thecleaning pig of claim 5 wherein the at least one edge of the wipingcomponent is a knife edge.
 7. The cleaning pig of claim 5 wherein theends of the cleaning body have inner and outer edges and a V-shapedgroove between the inner and outer edges.
 8. A self-cleaning pipe andpipe joint system comprising: a pipe or pipe joint, a wiping componenthaving opposing first and second ends, the wiping component having aninterior wall and an exterior wall so that the exterior wall contactsthe interior surface of a pipe and wherein ends of the wiping componenthave at least one edge, an external sliding component external to thepipe or pipe joint, an upper pipe flange attached to a first end of thepipe or pipe joint, a lower pipe flange attached to a second end of thepipe or pipe joint, wherein the upper and lower pipe flanges each havepassages that allow fluid to pass through, wherein the upper pipe flangemates with the first end of the wiping component and thereby dislodgesaccumulated deposits from the wiping component and from the upper pipeflange, and wherein the lower pipe flange mates with the second end ofthe wiping component and thereby dislodges accumulated deposits from thewiping component and from the lower pipe flange.
 9. A cleaning pig forcleaning a pipe or pipe joint comprising: a wiping component havingopposing first and second ends, an upper and lower pipe flange, whereinupper pipe flange is capable of mating with the first end of the wipingcomponent thereby dislodging any accumulated deposits from the wipingcomponent, and wherein the lower pipe flange is capable of mating withthe second end of the wiping component thereby dislodging anyaccumulated deposits from the wiping component wherein the wipingcomponent has an interior wall and an exterior wall so that the exteriorwall can contact an interior surface of the pipe or joint, wherein thewiping component has an opening through the interior thereof to allowfor the passage of fluids therethrough, and wherein the ends of thewiping component have at least one edge.